Complete confusion, Thrush, Balanitis or something else? (new here)

[j_alex]

I've been suffering for about 1.5years now with on and off again symptoms that could be thrush, balanitis or possibly something else. I frequently get small, paper-cut like cuts on my foreskin after sex which feels like it's due to a tight foreskin. I then usually stop having sex while they heal, after which my foreskin feels tighter. I have had thrush in the past and was prescribed Canesten cream to help so I've been applying this whenever I get the cuts and it seems to help. Now and again I'll get very small patches of dry skin near the stop of my shaft which "brush off" and leave a sore patch like a graze. I'm just tired of it now and suspect it's a recurrent symptom an underlying bacterial infection like Balanitis. Has anyone else experienced something similar and wouldn't mind sharing some advice? Many thanks! extra tags: Thrush, Bacteria, Male, Penis, Balanitis, Skin, Cuts

[Miko78]

I was having problems so started to keep my foreskin retracted all the time and all after sex pain has now gone, I had no cuts or anything but maybe I caught it before it got worse, I’ve been doing it now for 6 to 8 weeks and I’m a different man, even my sex drive has increased, it takes at least 2 weeks for your glans to get use to being exposed. Not everyone can do this it all depends on how tight foreskin is!

[j_alex in reply to Miko78]

Thanks for the response mate, really appreciate it! I'll give what you've done a try and see how I get on

[Zwww4650]

I have something similar to you and its been hell for the past 6 years but I've learned how to manage it as best I can. I have been strongly considering a circumcision of late, but have held off due to the fear of pain, recovery and work commitments.

I have been doing what Miko suggested eg pulling my foreskin back and allowing it to dry out and desensitize. I was very sensitive to start with and it was really painful but after doing this on and off for a few weeks I can really see and feel a difference. So I would suggest you get a soft loose pair of shorts, pull your skin back and keep it back as much as possible ( avoid underwear). Your glans/skin will go through a lot of changes but id suggest you stick with it.

My problem seems to respond when I take a course antibiotics so I am going to ask my GP for an antibiotic ointment to apply once or twice a week. This may reduce flare ups.

I dont think steroid and antifungal creams are good in the long term as they damage the skin, so I am.now looking at other options. Although they'r the only thing that has helped me in the short term.

Things that have helped my problem are: not using soap to wash my penis, just use water or a soap free sensitive skin wash, after you shower pull the skin back and dry it completely in front of a fan.

I have used almost every natural oil, lotion and potion imaginable and tried all types of vitamin supplements without much success.

Hope that helps.

[j_alex in reply to Zwww4650]

thanks for the reply mate and the good advice, really appreciate it!

I went to the docs a couple days ago and was told it was just dermititis (eczema) and that the small cuts were a symptom and that this was perfectly normal and common in men. The doc's advice was to use plenty of lubricant during sex and not to "over-work" the skin. I asked if it was thrush or another bacterial infection, to that he said definitely not and just dermititis.

So I guess it's a case of suck it up and get on with life!

[Ryanr]

I had the same problem for a year tight foreskin that would crack and split during sexual activities.

I got extremely fed up one day and went to see my gp who transferred me to a urologist amy cut a long story short circumcision was my only option.

I was circumcised on November last year.

If you need any advice feel free to message me 👍

[Daniels95]

Hey J_Alex, i'm having a very similar problem. The doctor also said it was dermatitis. Do you have advice on how to reduce symptoms?